Christian Craighead, the former British Special Air Service (SAS) soldier fondly nicknamed “Obi Wan Nairobi,” has marked seven years since the deadly January 2019 terror attack at the DusitD2 complex on Riverside Drive; an incident that left 21 people dead and scarred a nation.
The attack, carried out by five suspected Al-Shabaab militants, unfolded over nearly 20 hours and remains one of the most harrowing moments in Kenya’s recent history.
While Kenyan anti-terrorism units were mobilised, it was private security personnel and off-duty officers who arrived first at the scene. Among them was Craighead, who was in Nairobi at the time.
Armed with his personal gear, Craighead made a split-second decision that would later earn him global recognition. Trained as part of Britain’s elite SAS, he moved directly into the line of fire, engaging the attackers inside the complex.
His actions that day turned him into an unlikely hero in Kenya, with many hailing his bravery and calm under fire. Images and videos of the bearded, heavily armed soldier moving through the DusitD2 compound quickly circulated online, earning him the nickname “Obi Wan Nairobi” and cementing his place in the public memory of the attack.
Despite the hero status accorded to him in Kenya, Craighead’s story was not without controversy back home. He was reportedly criticised by sections of the British establishment and restricted from publicly speaking or writing about his role in the operation. Nevertheless, his courage did not go unrecognised. He was later awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, one of the UK’s highest military honours for bravery.
Seven years on, Craighead took to social media to reflect on the tragic day and his role in it, sharing a message that resonated strongly with Kenyans still healing from the loss.
“Seven years since the darkness descended on DusitD2. I remain deeply grateful to God that I could stand and fight against those forces of evil. Moments like these remind me: we run toward the fight so others can live. Honored to have been part of it.”